Pores—they’re so tiny, and they are supposed to be invisible. However, the fact is the opposite. Large pores are such a problem, especially for those who have acne.
Many of us have noticeable pores, and they often don’t look good. Although they can be covered with layers of makeup, it is physically impossible to reduce the appearance of large pores without seeing a dermatologist. Don’t worry; you definitely can make them look less obvious!
Always keep your face clean
When dirt, sebum, and black or white heads clog the pores, they cause inflammation that physically expands the pore. The solution is easy: always keep your face clean. Always wash your face with a gentle cleanser, especially before bedtime to remove the residue of makeup and other dirt. On top of cleansing every day, always use clean makeup brushes and never touch your face with your fingers.
Exfoliate regularly
Usually, in an attempt to keep pores clear from blackheads, it’s common to over-exfoliate. However, this can actually cause pore-engorging inflammation—means that it can expand your pores even more. Use exfoliator products with gentle, natural beads or opt for gentler wipe or pad infused with chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Exfoliation is ideally done two to three times a week, but if your skin is too sensitive, once a week is enough.
But, be gentle with your skin!
Aggressive cleansing, exfoliating, and skin-picking can cause wrinkles and lead to worsened acne; and going too rough on your skin can also damage your pores. When you’re cleansing or applying products on your face, do it gently, especially if your pores are already damaged.
Use toner
As you age, your skin loses collagen and elastin—which is necessary for tight skin and small pores. Scientists believe that as you lose collagen and elastin, your pores shift from around to a teardrop shape. Toner helps to strengthen and firm pore walls, decreasing their diameter and helping restore a circular appearance.
Never skip the moisturizer
Enlarged pores is just one of the bad things that can happen when you stop moisturizing your skin. When you leave your skin to get dry, it will respond by producing excessive amounts of oil that can clog your pores, which in turns will make your pores even bigger. Before wearing your sunscreen, make sure that you apply non-comedogenic moisturizer first.
Wear sunscreen
Too much sun can make your skin less supple. UV rays tear up the collagen in your skin, and that means that you’ll lose the essential component that keep your pores tight. A daily SPF can prevent structural skin damage before it happens.
Always keep your skin hydrated
Aside from hydrating yourself from inside by drinking a lot of water, you could also use a hydrating serum before putting on moisturizer. Hydrating serum helps to shrink your pores by plumping up the surrounding skin. You can also keep a bottle of facial mist to spray onto your skin every time you feel it’s dry. Hydration and exfoliation go hand-in-hand, so if you want your hydrating serum works its magic, make sure you exfoliate well.
For quick fix, use primer
While it may take some time to get the results from treatments mentioned above, you can get instant fix with a pore-minimizing primer or pores filler cream. Pore-minimizing primer normally contains optical reflectors that can mattify your skin and visually fill in pores so they look smoother and smaller. Look for an oil-free formula to avoid re-clogging pores.
Read also: the Korean skincare steps for glowing, youthful skin
